46Ryan Dempster SP

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Ryan Dempster hangs it up, joins Cubs' front office as assistant

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

The Cubs announced pitcher Ryan Dempster has signed a one-day contract with the team. Dempster, 37, will retire as a Cub and join Chicago's front office as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, reports the Chicago Tribune on Friday.

He spent nine seasons with the Cubs, registering a 3.88 ERA, with 62 wins and 87 saves over 358 appearances (138 starts). Dempster did not pitch in 2014 and finishes his career with two All-Star appearances, a 132-133 record and a 4.35 ERA in 579 appearances (351 starts).

Pitcher Ryan Dempster has chosen to retire rather than pursue a deal during the offseason, MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Dempster was placed on the restricted list by the Red Sox last offseason after deciding not to pitch in 2014. He went 132-133 in his career while posting a 4.35 ERA and racking up 2,075 strikeouts in 2,387 innings. The two-time All-Star won a championship with the Red Sox in his final season in 2013.

Dempster announced a few weeks ago that he would sit out the 2014 season. He made it clear that he's not retiring, but that he does not intend to pitch this year. Dempster posted a 4.57 ERA in 171 1/3 innings.

Dempster informed the club he would not pitch this season, though he's not officially retiring. The team would move Dempster to the restricted list once Chris Capuano passes his physical and officially joins the active roster.